Greater coordination and collaboration among actors – particularly across governance levels and sectors – is one of the main strategies proposed to support the achievement of climate goals regarding land and forest use. Such strategies have recently been referred to as landscape approaches, multistakeholder initiatives or jurisdictional approaches, but they emerge from a history of similar efforts at participatory processes, integrated conservation and development initiatives or co-management arrangements. To what extent have these past experiences informed current efforts at collaboration? How are new initiatives addressing power relations and inequity in order to assure legitimacy and accountability in processes and outcomes? This paper is based on the comparative analysis of 14 multistakeholder forums (MSFs) established to conserve forests and/or improve land use, primarily in subnational jurisdictions. We focus on four countries - Brazil, Peru, Indonesia and Ethiopia – and specifically on forums that bring together subnational (and sometimes national) government, NGOs, grassroots organizations and private sector stakeholders in a specific geographical location. Data were collected through 30 to 40 structured, in-depth interviews for each MSF, with organizers, participants and non-participants, as well as with key informants who have knowledge and firsthand experience on the context of forest management in each region. In four cases, focus groups were conducted with rural communities. This article analyzes approaches to addressing power differences and inequities across the MSFs and, specifically, the obstacles and opportunities for actors from marginalized groups (indigenous people, peasants, women) to voice their concerns and to influence the forums’ agenda and outcomes.